Lavender and religion

Lavender and religion have a closely connected past. Lavender has been used in religion for centuries.

There are references in the Bible using the name Spikenard.
It was believed that Adam and Eve took lavender with them when they left the Garden of Eden.

Judith anointed herself with perfumes including lavender and approached Holofernes. Once he was under her scented influence, (or was it drinks?) she murdered him and saved Jerusalem.

The Virgin Mary was said to dry the baby Jesus' cloths on a bush of lavender to dry.

In the gospel of St Luke it says that Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus.

Traditionally, a cross of lavender was hung on the door to safeguard against evil.

Lavender was burned in the Greek temples.

In the middle ages, the monks and nuns used lavender to make medicines. In 1301 lavender is listed as on of the herbs grown at the Merton Abbey.

Lavender has been used for anointing. In the past it was used in the temples and churches. It was dabbed behind the ears, temples and on the wrists. Because of it's calming effects on emotional and psychological baggage it was useful. It also cleared the head.

Lavender was tossed on the floors of churches and was burned in bonfires to avert the evil spirits on St. John's day.